Chapter 18

Richard should be here any minute and the waiting is making me nervous. So much so that I can't help but wring my hands as I wait with William in the dining room for his arrival to be announced. At first I'd taken to messing with the skirts of my dress but I'd soon left them alone not wanting to ruin my dress.

It's yet another of Madame Corbin's creations, one of the simpler evening gowns that we'd ordered. A light pink skirt with the top of the dress and over skirt only a few shades darker. To complete the dress is splendid gold embroidery along the edges. It's formal but not overly so making it perfect for a relaxed dinner with one of William's closest friends.

"Calm, Eleanor. It's only Richard there's no need to be so nervous," William says calmly standing and walking to my end of the end so that he can place one of his hands atop mine to stop my fidgeting.

"I know. It's just that I've never been to a dinner such as this let alone played hostess," I reply nervously still not able to calm down.

"All the more reason that it's a good thing that it is only Richard," He retorts with a laugh, "He shan't take offense if anything goes wrong."

"Well I see where I stand Dorset," Richard says suddenly entering the room with Anley not giving him a chance to announce Richard's arrival, "Perhaps just for that I shall be offended and leave right now." The statement only makes them both smile and let out a short laugh as William stands to go and greet him.

Taking a deep breath I stand and go to join them. They're talking about something quietly as I approach but whatever it is they're discussing ends quickly and Richard's attention turns to me.

"Duchess. A pleasure to see you again," He greets kissing the back of my hand, "Thank you for allowing me to come for dinner."

"You're always a welcome guest in our home my Lord," I greet in return, "Shall we?" I gesture towards the table. Once dinners served I'll be able to direct my nervous energy towards that, not that I think I'll eat much.

Nodding both William and Richard head towards the table as well. William takes his usual seat at the head of the table with mine being at the other end and as our guest Richard is seated to my left. It still leaves him close to William as this table only seats six people, clearly the previous Duke and Duchess didn't entertain much while in Bath.

We may have to acquire a bigger table if we remain here as surely we'll have more than four guests for dinner. If in the future all of William's friends, that is Richard, Bedford and Drydan, came for dinner with their wives we wouldn't have enough room for them all. Well that's if they all married as so far none of them are and Richard himself seems rather reluctant to marry any time soon.

That's a thought for the future though. For now I return my focus to this dinner as the table is soon filled with food. Just as William said it'd nothing too extravagant but it's still suitable for a future Duke. The number of dishes being served has also been reduced from what would typically be served during a dinner party. With only one guest in attendance too much would simply go to waste, not to mention the strain it would put on the kitchen due to the short notice.

To start the meal though we're all served a bowl of white soup which are placed before us when the rest of the food has been served. It's a well-made soup though I do find myself missing Mrs Tapps's cooking. Not that the cook here is a bad cook but Mrs Tapps is simply better.

Nevertheless the soup seems to go down well with Richard and we all soon finish our bowl. The footmen quickly clear the bowls away leaving us free to help ourselves to the rest of the food. As the host William carves the roast beef and serves some to each of us. Various vegetables soon fill the plates as well as we settle into the main part of our meal.

"So the Duchess tracked you down then Richard?" William questions as we start eating.

"Yes, she guessed that as I hadn't returned home then I'd be here. A footman arrived the day before yesterday with her request that I return to London," Richard replies with a grin.

"I told you that it would happen." Richard only waves his hand in response.

"The peace has been worth it though. And getting to meet your lovely wife of course," He replies with a charming smile in my direction.

"It's been lovely to meet you as well my Lord," I say quietly still feeling rather shy around him.

"None of that lord stuff. You may call me Richard as William does," He offers graciously.

"Thank you Richard and you must do the same," A small smile comes to my face feeling more at ease already. He possesses an easy manner that makes it impossible not to get along with him.

"So I never got the chance to ask how you enjoyed the concert the other night?" Richard asks, "It may not be a passion of mine but I know how you enjoy music William."

"I believe we both enjoyed it," William says looking at me for conformation of his statement. I give a simple nod not wanting to admit that I don't remember most of the music, "Eleanor is quite talented at playing the pianoforte so I thought that such an outing would suit us both."

"Yes it was a lovely night," I comment in agreement having a pleasant memory of that night despite not remembering the concert clearly. It will always be the night that brought William and I back together after the loss of our child.

"Well perhaps when you're both in London again we can do something more entertaining than attending a simple concert. I'm sure my mother will be hosting various balls that she'd be delighted to invite you to."

"Perhaps," William responds evenly with a carefully neutral face, "We don't know when we're next to be in London though. It shall depend on Eleanor's health."

"Yes. Of course," Richard replies, "We've all heard of your recent troubles. My condolences for your loss. Although I don't just understand how such a private matter made its way into the gossip rags."

"Thank you Richard," William tells him as I try to keep from crying at the reminder of my loss and of how everyone knows of it, "And it came down to disloyal servants, all of whom have been dismissed after a thorough investigation."

Luckily the conversation moves on to more pleasant topics as William and Richard catch up on mutual friends and acquaintances. It gives me the opportunity to get to know Richard better while not having to say too much nor speak of my own childhood. Not that William allows the conversation to head in that direction knowing how I hate to speak of it.

Eventually we're ready for dessert and the footmen quickly clear the table to make room for it. With so few of us for this meal the cook serves only a ratafia cake along with some fruit and nuts to go with it. Slices are served out, William and Richard helping themselves to larger slices than my own, and the conversation continues to flow easily.

"Well that was a lovely meal," Richard comments slumping back slightly in his chair as we finish eating, "I know that usually we'd go for some port now but we can't leave your lovely wife alone William. Now you mentioned that Eleanor is quite skilled on the pianoforte, perhaps I have the pleasure of hearing her play. If you're willing of course?" He asks turning his head towards me.

"Of course," I reply which turns into a signal for us to move to the drawing room. Richard's offer does make sense as I'm the only woman here if we'd have separated I'd have been alone while they enjoyed their port and cigars.

Richard and William seat themselves on some chairs as I take my place at the piano. Neither of them give a preference for what I should play so, knowing that it's one of William's favourites, I begin Bach's The Well-Tempered Clavier. While he'd been away in London I'd practiced it just as I'd promised so I believe that I play it quite well now.

"Bravo!" Richard cheers as I finish to his and William's applause, "Well that truly puts my sisters to shame. How lucky you are my friend to have such a talented wife," He says teasingly nudging William with his elbow.

"Yes it was very well-done Eleanor," William replies with a fond gaze while ignoring Richard's teasing in favour of standing to escort me to sit with them. Before returning to his own seat he calls for some tea to be served.

We sit talking for a while longer over a cup of tea each but eventually the night has to come to an end. Richard bids us goodbye and takes his leave to finish preparing for his return to London. He also gives us an open invitation to visit him there whenever we'd like.

The hour is growing late but rather than retiring for the night William and I return to the drawing room. Now that it's just the two of us we don't have to worry so much about propriety as we sit together on one of the settees, close enough to touch in a way we wouldn't if there was anyone else here.

"Did you enjoy tonight?" William asks interrupting the calming silence we'd been sitting in after so long making conversation.

"Yes," I reply smiling at him, "I was nervous at first but I did truly enjoy tonight. You have such a wonderful friend in Richard. Even when we first met him at the concert he seemed prepared to dislike me at the very least simply due to the circumstances of our marriage." A laugh escapes me at the end letting him know that I'm not offended by that at all.

"Neither of us have any brothers so we've always considered each other to be our brother. I'm glad that the two of you get along, he's the closest thing to family I have left. Not that I think he could have remained cold or holding a dislike for you. You're too kind for that and Richard, having two younger sisters, has always given in easily to the women in his life."

We both have a laugh then largely at Richard's expense as it's true. Despite his disdain for London with a simple request from his mother he's on his way back there in the morning. And from the various stories told over dinner he behaves in a similar manner around his sisters, taking them on rides whenever they want, buying whatever their hearts desire and otherwise indulging the both of them.

"It's getting late. I think that I'll retire now," I say eventually as I have to keep fighting off yawns. I stand and go to leave only to be stopped by William gentle taking hold of my wrist to stop me.

"I was hoping that we could stay together tonight," He tells me looking at me beseechingly. I don't know what to say though, as close as we are now I don't feel ready to return to our marriage duties.

"I-I'm sorry William but I don't think I've quite recovered enough from that," I reply nervously hoping that he won't force the issue. It would be within his rights but if he does then he's not the man I've come to care so much for.

"No. No not that," He's quick to reassure me, "I simply want to sleep in the same bed as you. All I want is to wake up in the morning and the first thing I see is you." It's so sweet and makes me feel so warm inside that with a blush I can't help but nod, completely unable to find the right words.

Together we head upstairs, William keeping a gentle hold of my hand, only separating to go to our separate rooms to change for the night. Marguerite as always helps me change quickly but as she's brushing out my hair there's a knock at the door which she does to answer. It's William already changed and ready to go to sleep.

His arrival has at least solved my worries about whose room we'd be sleeping in. He enters quietly and makes himself comfortable while Marguerite finishes brushing my hair and plaiting it back for the night. I approach the bed slowly which William seems to notice but he doesn't say anything instead letting me take this at my own pace.

"Goodnight Eleanor," He says quietly with a light kiss to my cheek once I've settled into my own side of the bed. To my relief he then lies down to start falling asleep allowing me to do the same with a whispered goodnight of my own. There's a small amount of space between us which rids me of any lingering nerves of having to fulfil my marriage duties. With that peace of mind I can allow myself to fall asleep.